Shutting down news company Al Jazeera, the Qatari state-funded broadcaster owned by the Al Jazeera network could be the first step in the solution to appease governments involved in yesterday’s fall out, analysts suggest.

Deemed the ‘saddest day since the GCC was formed’ by UAE business man Khalaf Al Habtoor, yesterday the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya and the Maldives cut diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing the country of terrorism links.

Discontent between the neighbouring countries has been quietly festering over the last few years, but this is the first major fall out, with seven countries boycotting Qatar and Jordan, Morocco and Sudan expected to follow suit, reports suggest.

Emirati Commentator Sultan Al Qassemi suggested in a Newsweek opinion piece, that the closure of the the Arab news site could be a gesture of good will.

“A gesture of goodwill”

The media network which is partly funded by the the House of Thani, the ruling family of Qatar has publicly criticised Arab governments and the site is accused of reporting false news.

“Qatar’s Emir first gesture of good will likely be the shutting of Al Jazeera TV network entirely, which could happen in months if not weeks,” Sultan Al Qassemi,

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